Just got a new set of wheels, and now I need a camper shell to keep things secure and dry. Old truck came with a Leer…no problems. Any recommendations or stay-away-froms for the new shell?
BTW the truck is a ’03 Silverado extended cab, pretty basic, but it came with a “Texas-Oklahoma-LA” option package. Not sure I understand the logic on this one. Package included fog lamps, deep tint glass, and am-fm-cd-cass radio at a cost of $347, and then at the bottom of the factory sticker there was a TX-OK-LA discount of $1,000. It also had a couple of funky “Texas Edition” stickers on the fenders, but they peeled off easily. Also got about $4k in rebates and $3k is dealer discounts so it was hard to pass up.
Do it right, or do it twice.
Replies
Congrats on the new truck
The Count-Down begins, 95 days left
Congradulations on the new truck. Im actually wanting a camper for my drive around truck but I havent looked into it yet. I hope its a good thread.
Tim Mooney
I had a SNUG-TOP on my 97 F-150. Had some issues with the hatch/door. At about 6 months the plastic lip cracked. The only way to fixe it was to replace the entire door. I don't remember the price but it something like $300 - $350. I don't even remember doining anything to make it crack. I think it might have happened on a winter trip up to my cabin. Maybe the cold weather. Anyway, I thought the door / window was somewhat chintzy. My brother-in-law has a SNUG-TOP on hi 1996 Toyota T-100. He has some paint/trim issues. They actually sent his shell back to the factory to have it re-painted.
My dad has an A.R.E. on his '02 F-250. Looks OK so far.
Something to consider: Order a shell with the left hand window with the lift-up option instead of the slider. Makes geeting to things towards the front of the bed easier. I remember seeing the option and wish I had it!
Anyone have an idea of what a person expect to spend on a decent shell. Both a fiberglass unit with the side and back windows, and an aluminum unit with no windows, but the tilt up storage space on the sides
Clear as mud?
Just curious, I keep seeing used shells for between 500-1000 and I'm wondering if it would be worth the hassle of finding one slightly faded/dented and re-painiting to matchThe Count-Down begins, 95 days left
I'd say most Leers I've seen seem to stand up pretty well. I've got a Jason, no complaints yet. What's the high end thing, starts with G... Glasstite. Really well made. Pay for them too. Those are the ones that you still have and work ten years down the road.
CAG - you're in the same market as me. I got an 8' cab height, and opted for both side hatches opening, which costs a little more. The Jason is decent, but still in the economical range as far as what's available out there. It was $1400. As to repainting, I've seen that done too, and if you can get a shell in good condition for a bargain (which usually isn't all that easy) then that's a viable option as well. You just want to be sure all the gaskets and pistons for the doors still work. If things are wearing out, whats the phrase, you're putting lipstick on a pig.
"The child is grown / The dream is gone / And I have become / Comfortably numb " lyrics by Roger Waters
Wouldn't I be able to replace the gaskets, or pistons if they were worn?
I have access to the spray guns etc. for painting the cap, so I wouldn't need to pay an auto body shop to do it, just buy my uncle a 6 pack...
I've seen a few at what I would consider a good price, less then 500, aluminum shells, with the side storage, slightly dented, not bad, and worn paint, but as I don't have the truck yet, didn't bother to pick them up.
The Count-Down begins, 95 days left
Oh, you probably could. I'm just thinking if Its gotten that worn, then you spend a few hundred on the shell, you take the time and money into jerking around with it for awhile to get all the stuff replaced, you spend the money on the paint . . . by the time you're done you've invested all that time and money into a shell that probably just wont hold up for you in the long run. "The child is grown / The dream is gone / And I have become / Comfortably numb " lyrics by Roger Waters
Believe me those thoughts have crossed my mind. I don't buy cheap tools so why buy a cheap top right?
The Count-Down begins, 95 days left
Whatever you do get the side doors/windows. I dont know how people can survive without them. Id also recommend going with aluminum as opposed to fiberglass. The aluminum will dent and bend, the fiberglass will crack and chip. Although I suppose you could fix the fiberglass with some of that fiberglass autobody repair stuff.
M2akita
I know you dont like me throwing up yur age , but I see a trend I havent seen here.
Used to, we used to get by with truck boxes .[one big one across the bed] We got a lot more tools. Changing each day helps, but a pain. Then we got more tools. Ive been known to come home for lunch to change again. Maybe add a trailer. I really dont want to drive a van and I really dont like leaving tools in a trailer. Probably the van would be the best thing for me , but Im thinking about the camper thing.
Tim Mooney
Tim,
The orginal plan was the crossover box, and two side box with a ladder rack. Then I got thinking about security and I think the shell would be more secure, I know the locks on them are not much better, but I want one with out windows, just the side storage that I could keep non-tool items in. A guy at work made his own pull out drawer system to lay in the back of the bed, and he seems to do pretty well with that. So thats the new plan.
A van really would be the best option, but I'm to vain to have a big 'ole van as my only means of transport.
but this is all just day-dreaming anyway.. the truck keeps getting pushed farther and farther down the road.
NeilThe Count-Down begins, 94 days left
Dude ....
com'mon ......Too Vain?
Let's think this thru .....
A van's got a floor ...right?
And said floor "could" get cleaned up every now and then ......
and then I'd guess some sorta air matress could be laid on said floor ....
U wit me so far?
Now ......picture a keg in a tub of ice ...tapped and strapped ......?
colored plastic over the lights for effect......
Oh yeah ...a coupla lawn chairs fit nicely too.....
Jeff
Don't forget the sheet/screen behind the seats!Buck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Fine Carpentery.....While U Waite
ummm...
I got my own apartment now, I don't need the van...
But the strapped in keg sounds cool, I saw a budlight truck pulling a 4x8 trailer the other day with about half dozen taps coming out the side, I followed it unfortunetly it got on the highway....
I'll get a van one day, but it ain't in the budget right now.The Count-Down begins, 94 days left
"A van really would be the best option, but I'm to vain to have a big 'ole van as my only means of transport"
CAG,
You better hope Andy Clifford doesn't read your post.
IMO, Buy 2 vehicles. 1 (used?) work truck (van, pickup whatever) and an economical car. Cheaper in the long run if you have a clean driving record.
Jon
BTW, I said van, not minivan. Go there and everybody knows you're whipped.
My G/F told me to tell you I'm not whipped!!
My driving record is now "clean" I get all my tickets fixed, and the one I didn't went away two months ago.
The Count-Down begins, 94 days left
"I get all my tickets fixed"
CAG,
NOBODY does. Nobody. (Might let you go, but once the ticket is issued,........
The BILaw is an FBI Special Agent in...N Illinois. He can't get 'um.
And.... your G/F looks over your shoulder as you post on BT......YOU ARE WHIPPED!!!!!!
I see a minivan in your future.
Jon
Jon, it's simple you take a ticket to traffic law center, or any traffic lawyer you give them about 75 bucks, they get the state to not put it on your record, and you pay more then the orginal fine.
It's all a money making scam by the state, but I think all parties come out ahead.
and my G/F doesn't look over my shoulder, hell I don't even let her use my computer since the last time she messed it up...
she does think that all "this" is a bit wierd though...The Count-Down begins, 94 days left
Ive got two vehicles now, an older work truck and a new truck, and when I figured up the costs the old truck still costs just over 200$ per month for insurance, tax, and tag. I was suprised it was costing that much and will probably go back to one vehicle soon.
..."when I figured up the costs the old truck still costs just over 200$ per month for insurance, tax, and tag"...
Where the heck do you live? Actually cost me NOTHING to add a second vehicle. USAA. Just the way they figure their rates. For 3 vehicles I pay ~$1400. year. '98 3/4 ton Sierra, '00 GTP (supercharged) Grand Prix. and a '02 Z24 Cavalier. $200. deductables, full coverage, $800K liabllity coverage, 2 drivers. Oh, and $45. year for reg.
Works out to ~$125month for EVERYTHING.
Jon
Move to the Midwest.
Alabama. Liability insurance alone for that truck is over 800 per year with 3 vehicle discount and also a discount for having homeowners through the same company. Ive checked around and havent found any cheaper, and I have a good driving record. No wrecks and 1 speeding ticket 4 yrs ago. My total car ins for three cars two drivers is about 300 per month. 500$ deductable.
Edited 9/15/2003 11:41:50 PM ET by charlesc
I got an ARE last year with the lift side windows. Back window leaks a lot and they have tried to fix it 3 times at the shop that I ordered it from. I will probably end up fixing it myself. About 1200.00. Other than that its a good top. Have a leer from 93 that is still in good shape on a f 150 4x4. Seen pretty hard use and no chips or problems. Looks better than the truck. Did have one problem with a crack around the inside top near back window when was 3 or 4 yrs old, sent it back to leer through the dealer and they fixed it all under warranty. as for buying used dont pay much 2 or 3 hundred is about all they are worth unless they are brand new.
Edited 9/15/2003 1:10:04 PM ET by charlesc